Give Summer Reading a Boost with Printable Vocabulary Words Scavenger Hunt Bookmarks

We're a week and a half into summer vacation.  I always make sure that I plan daily learning activities for my children in addition to the summer reading required by their schools.

Two of our three children love to read books.  Although I usually concentrate on coming up with activities for our child who struggles a bit with reading, this one is to help challenge the two bookworms instead!

Our 9 year old daughter could sound out big words since she was 5 or 6 years old.  She can read almost any word at 9 years, but does she know what those words mean?

One of the items on our daughter's 4th grade summer reading list is the Ulysses Moore book series.  I just started her with Book 1 to see if she likes it.  Once I printed the bookmark sheet and cut one bookmark out, I went through the book in search of words my daughter might not be familiar with.  I then listed these words on the bookmark so she can have a list on-hand to reference.  When she finds one of the words, I'll ask her to let me know what she thinks the definition of the word is based on the context in the book.

TIP: Be sure to write the title of the book on the space provided on each bookmark if you're doing this for more than one book at a time in your household.

TO PRINT: Check that your printer is on and ready to go.  Click on the image below to enlarge.  Then right-click and select print.

Want to make these bookmarks more fun?
I did make these bookmarks to be disposable, but if you'd like to jazz them up, here are some easy ideas . . .

1.  Print the bookmarks on colored paper or cardstock.  Paper with a lightly-colored pattern would be fun too!
2. Have your child draw the cover of the book in the empty box instead of just writing in the book title.
3. Use a hole puncher to punch out the black circles.  Then use ribbon or yarn to add streamers to the top of the bookmarks on the left and right sides of the printable.
4. Use a sticker or several small stickers to decorate the top of the bookmark in the center of the printable.
5.  Turn the bookmark over to the blank side and personalize the bookmark with your child's name.
6.  Turn the bookmark over to the blank side and write the prize your child will earn if he or she finds all the words and can tell you what they mean.

If you like this idea, be sure to Pin It for later!

Which books are your children loving this summer? Tell us in a comment here. 

How to Make Newspaper Reporter Activity Goodie Bags { plus Free Printable Press Passes & Word Search }

Thank you to Oriental Trading Company for providing the goodie bag essentials for our classroom-friendly newspaper reporter activity kits.  All opinions expressed are our own.

Although our oldest has moved onto middle school this past fall, our twins are still in grade school.  Their school has a strict policy against sending in sweets for birthdays, so I always send in non-food goodie bags.  Since their birthdays are in January, one of the coldest months of the year, I try to send in themed activity kits the children can do (if they choose to) during indoor recess.  This year, I decided to make Newspaper Reporter Activity Kits for the twins' goodie bags because they are in the middle of studying non-fiction in both their classrooms.  They were so easy to make and the possibilities are endless for what types of inspiration you would like to include in the kits.

What you'll need to make Newspaper Reporter Activity Kits . . .

12"x18" Newsprint Paper (3 sheets per kit)

5" Spiral Notepads

Calendar Pens

Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens Stickers

Monster High Stickers

Big Hero 6 Stickers

Team Sports Sticker Scenes

Movie Theater Sticker Scenes

8.5"x12" Colorful Plastic Bags

News Reporter Word Search (Free printable below)

DIY Personalized Press Passes (Free printable below)

Clear Gaming Card Protective Sleeves

Arrow-Shaped Paper Clips

After you have everything you need, there is some assembly required for the actual newspaper and the press passes.  I created the word search puzzle shared below with the help of Discovery Education's Puzzlemaker.

For the newspaper:  I folded 3 sheets of newsprint paper together in half once and then in half a second time so that they resembled a newspaper folded into quadrants.

For the press passes:  I saved the digital image of the sheet of press passes onto my computer and used a graphics program to add the first and last names of each child.  You could also simply write the name of each child on the paper with a thin marker.  Then I cut out the press passes and slid each one into a clear gaming card sleeve protector.

After I put all the contents into each bag, I used a paperclip to secure each child's press pass on the outside of the bag.  Please note that the 8.5"x12" bags fit a standard piece of paper perfectly, so it may take some patience to get the paper to sit flat, but it can be done.

With the stickers provided, the children can be inspired to write news stories about who won the big game, who their favorite Star Wars or Big Hero 6 characters rescued this week, or even fashion editorials using Monster High stickers for the photos.  Our son, who is a huge Star Wars fan, decided to dedicate his newspaper to Star Wars and what he would imagine a newspaper would be like during those times.

Print the DIY Press Passes and News Reporter Word Search Puzzle below . . .

TO PRINT:  Click on the desired image to enlarge.  Then right click and select print.  Use your browser's back arrow to return to this page, if needed.

Like this goodie bag activity idea?  Pin it for later . . .

Check out last year's DIY Comic Book activity goodie bags . . . 

Have some ideas about other things that could go in a Newspaper Activity Kit for kids? Share them with us in a comment here.

Join Me for the Juicy Juice #UltimatePlaydate Twitter Party plus $550 in Prizes on Thursday (5/29) at 11am EST! #shop #cbias

Do you love a good Twitter Party? You know I do and I’m excited to co-host a party about creating playdates that combine learning and fun! On Thursday, May 29th, at 11:00am EST, please join us for the #UltimatePlaydate Twitter Party, where we’ll be discussing how playdates can be opportunities to develop motor and social skills while encouraging independence, AND of course, giving you a chance to win prizes!

As someone who has enjoyed sharing fun learning activities with her readers, it's no secret how much I love watching my children experience learning through creative and imaginative play.  Our 7 year old twins' idea of the ideal playdate would be berry-flavored Juicy Juice Fun Size juice boxes served with string cheese for a snack plus an assortment of Crayola markers and an endless supply of drawing paper.  Throw in a roll of tape and watch where their imaginations take them!  What do you do to spark your children's imaginations?  Join me at the #UltimatePlaydate Twitter Party and tell me all about it!

Specially marked packages of Juicy Juice products from April through September will deliver up to $3 off coupons savings on Crayola products such as Color Wonder and My First Crayola. There will also be $1 off Juicy Juice Instant Redeemable Coupons applied to special Crayola Color Wonder and My First Crayola products.


Join me and RSVP for the #UltimatePlaydate on SoFabChats!


DATE: Thursday, May 29th, 2014

TIME: 11:00am - 12:00pm ET

PRIZES: 5 – $100 Walmart Gift Cards

EARLY BIRD PRIZE: 1 – $50 Walmart Gift Card

HOSTS: @KellysLuckyYou, @LaughWithUsBlog, @_Karen, @FrugalGreenMama, @JManMillerBug

RULES: #UltimatePlaydate Twitter Party Official Rules

RSVP & PARTY GRID: #UltimatePlaydate Twitter Party Page


TWEET TO SHARE:

RSVP for #UltimatePlaydate Twitter Party 5/29 11am ET. Prizes! Rules http://t.co/L9jcmTeMgK #shop pic.twitter.com/G9wMC4mk0r
— Karen Coutu (@_Karen) May 20, 2014

How To Participate In A Twitter Party on SoFabChats!

TIP: How to join a Twitter Party – sign in! Before party starts, click on the green “Sign In On Twitter” bar at the top of the page!

TIP: Who to follow at a Twitter Party? Follow the Party Team by clicking on the Twitter handle links on the RSVP page!

TIP: Want to win Twitter Party prizes? RSVP by clicking on RSVP button before you join the party, follow everyone on the Party Team, and tweet with the party hashtag during the party to be eligible!

TIP: How to win the Early Bird prize? Watch for chance to share a tweet when you RSVP for chance to win!

TIP: Special deals and brand coupons? Keep that options checked when you RSVP for the party!

TIP: New to Twitter parties? Watch your column and Party Team tweet columns – they are slower paced and easier to follow!

TIP: Where to find Twitter Parties? Check out the SoFabChats Twitter Party Calendar to find more fun parties to attend!

Find more helpful Twitter Party Tips on SoFabChats!

Brilliant Sky Toys & Books Announces The Top 12 Toys on Their 2013 Brilliance List

Thank you to Brilliant Sky Toys & Books for providing complimentary products samples for us to base this review upon.  All opinions expressed are my own.

The specialty toy retailer Brilliant Sky Toys & Books currently has 15 store locations within the U.S. and I have my fingers crossed that someday they will come to Massachusetts or perhaps open their business to the world of online retail.  Not only does this retailer offer top quality toys that promote childhood develop, the stores are designed to give both parents and children a very special experience.

For children, Brilliant Sky Toys & Books offers warm inviting tones, child-height displays and fixtures, and so many fun toys and books to explore hands-on.  The parents receive outstanding concierge-style customer service, along with assistance while selecting the perfect toy plus free gift wrapping.  What a time-saver this would be around the Holidays!

The 12 Brilliance Award Winners for 2013 are as follows . . . 

1. Adventure Treehouse by International Playthings
2. Deluxe Magic Set by Melissa & Doug 
3. Doinkit Darts by Marky Sparky
4. Easel by Melissa & Doug 
5. Gobblet Gobblers by Blue Orange
6. How Big Is The Lion? My First Book Of Measuring by Workman
7. Lego® City Brickmaster by Penguin 
8. Little Chubbies by International Playthings
9. Skwish Classic by Manhattan Toy
10. Snap Circuit Sound by Elenco Electronics 
11. Switch & Spin Magnetic Gear Board by Melissa & Doug 
12. World Map Puzzle by Janod

We actually already own the Melissa & Doug Easel and the Deluxe Magic Set.  Both items are deserving of their place on this list.  We were also able to experience the How Big Is The Lion? My First Book Of Measuring by Workman and the Lego® City Brickmaster by Penguin.  I chose these items because our nearly 7 year old son learns a little differently.  He performs much better when he is engaged, which often does not mean traditional teaching methods.  

He did very well with the How Big Is The Lion? My First Book Of Measuring.  He was a little reluctant at first because he reacts that way to most books, but when he saw there was a wooden ruler attached to the book with a red satin ribbon, he became more curious and quickly became a willing participant in this learning activity.

The Lego® City Brickmaster is also a book, but this one comes with all the Lego bricks and specialty pieces a child would need to build everything described in the book.  It also came with two Lego Minifigures, which our son loves to collect.  Although he needed some assistance here and there reading the diagrams, our son did very well with building several of the models.  He thoroughly enjoyed himself and was also very proud that he was able to follow the instructions.  Little did he know that he was also developing his sorting and problem solving skills, as well as his fine motor skills.

To learn more about Brilliant Sky Toys & Books, visit BrilliantSkyToys.com.  Be sure to use their Store Locator to check for a store location near you.

Make Learning at Home Fun & Entertaining with The Magic School Bus and The Young Scientists Club!

Thank you to The Young Scientists Club for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Many children and adults alike have fallen in love with Mrs. Frizzle and her class on The Magic School Bus and now you can take the magic home with you! The Young Scientists Club has new kits out and we were given the opportunity to try out The Magic School Bus Weather Lab in our homeschool.

Undoubtedly, the very first thing kids will notice the iconic shape of the kit...the same as The Magic School Bus itself! Once you open the school bus, there are over 20 experiments with color illustrated activity cards to show you how to do the experiment and give you the science behind it. Each experiment is fairly easy and the kit comes with almost everything needed to complete them. The only things you need to add are things most people already have or are easy to acquire, such as water, plastic bottles, markers, etc. The kit also comes with a data notebook for recording observations and conclusions, so kids can track their progress and remember the science skills they learned.

One of the first things you make with the kit is your own weather lab for recording and observing daily whether. With a barometer, compass, thermometer, weather vane, and more, you can record all aspects of weather and then keep track of weather patterns using the chart and stickers.

Other experiments included in this kit are condensation, evaporation, the ever-popular tornado in a bottle, and more. We have loved using this kit with our home science curriculum and highly recommend it to everyone we know - homeschoolers or not. The included items are well made, the experiments are fun yet simple, and the learning and memories made are invaluable.

You can learn more about The Young Scientists Club at www.theyoungscientistsclub.com including where to purchase this kit, which retails for $39.99. You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Free Printable: 69 Sight Words Flashcards for 1st Grade

We had discovered last year that our youngest son learns differently, so we need to work with him at home daily to help him succeed in school.  One of the main things he struggles with is reading.  He is now in first grade and will be turning 7 in January.  Last year, I made kindergarten sight words flash cards and they seemed to help him quite a bit.  Now that the school year is well-underway, I have created a new set of flash cards for 1st grade sight words.  If your child could use some extra help in this area, feel free to print and cut out these flash cards to use with your child.

You should know that, when I made these cards, I omitted the sight words that were also on the kindergarten sight words list.  If you have not already done so, you should print out the kindergarten flash cards to use in conjunction with these.

TO PRINT:  Make sure your printer is on and ready to print.  Click on the desired image to enlarge.  Then right click on the image and choose print.  Use your browser's back button to return to this page and repeat these steps with the remaining pages.

The Bedtime Math Children's Book Incorporates Math into Your Child's Daily Routine

Thank you to Bedtime Math for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon. All opinions expressed are my own.

It is my wish that my children love to learn, and I do as much as I can to make sure they are having fun while they are learning. Math is one of our hardest subjects because “it’s boring”, they say. When I heard of the book, Bedtime Math by Laura Overdeck, I was excited to give this method of incorporating math a try. Bedtime Math is a unique book that presents simple math problems along with a paragraph of information on a particular topic. Each math equation comes in 3 levels (Wee Ones, Little Kids, and Big Kids) so there is one for any age of child. Plus, the answers are discreetly placed on the bottom of the page so math-challenged parents like myself don’t have to hurt themselves figuring out the more complicated ones. The book is well written and colorfully illustrated so it makes learning fun.

To give an example: one page has a bit of information about frogs (they are amphibians, born as tadpoles, etc.) and then a math problem for 3 different levels of learners that relates to the frog theme. This simple way of putting math into our daily lives has been very effective! My kids love getting their evening math problems and I love that there are 3 different levels so there is a problem that suits each of them. We’ve had a lot of fun with this book and will continue to use it for a long time.

You can learn more about Bedtime Math  including where to purchase, on their website, www.bedtimemath.org. This book retails for $14.99, but is currently selling on Amazon for $9.37 with Free Super Saver Shipping.

Weekend Wishlist: Paul Frank, 'Best Dad' T-Shirt, Nifty Home Products, and More!

It's Friday!  That means I've been browsing the new sales on Zulily.  I love shopping on the weekends because I only pay shipping on my first order and get free shipping on everything else from Friday through midnight on Sunday.  I found the cutest owl doormat yesterday, added it to my wishlist, and this morning it was all sold out already.  I did ask to be emailed the next time it becomes available, so fingers crossed!

What's new on my Zulily wishlist today?

1.  Wilco Edged Frame - $12.99 (Originally $18.00)

2.  Blue Bird Night-Light - $7.99 (Originally $12.00)

3.  Nifty Black K-Cup Small Single Storage Drawer - $19.99 (Originally $32.00)

4.  White Fancy Triple Pearl & Silver Heart Pendant Necklace - $49.99 (Originally $215.00)

5.  Turquoise 'I have the Best Dad' Tee for Toddlers & Kids - $9.99 (Originally $18.00)

6.  Educators Outlet Fraction Sandwich Set - $6.99 (Originally $12.00)

7.  Reunion Apparel Gray Embellished Girl Sidetail Tee - $16.99 (Originally $27.99)

8.  Paul Frank Black & White Polka Dot Julius Tote - $9.99 (Originally $25.00)


If you haven't already, be sure to checkout my post "6 Tips for Shopping on Zulily"!  What's on your weekend wishlist from Zulily or somewhere else?

The Young Scientists Club Science Kits Featuring Clifford the Big Red Dog

Thank you to The Young Scientists Club for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon and for providing an additional product for our contest prize. All opinions expressed are my own.

Beloved character Clifford the Big Red Dog is getting kids into science with new The Young Scientist Club science kits. These fun kits come in three themed sets that teach kids about bubbles, rainbows, or getting cooking in the kitchen. These sets are so good, they’ve just won the Tillywig Toy & Media Brain Child Award, given only to “exciting products that energize the mind while seamlessly blending fun and learning!” We were sent the Clifford Rainbow Science kit to try out and we’ve had a blast doing colorful experiments.

The Rainbow Science kit contains a full-color instruction manual that gives detailed directions to complete the experiments as well as many of the things you need to do them. We had to add our own water, food coloring, and/or oil but everything else was in the box. We learned how to make colored water “climb” special paper (chromatography paper), we saw the spectrum of color while looking at a light bulb with the included glasses, and we made fun lava lamp like bubbles that floated in oil, plus several other things too.

The best thing about this kit is that we learned why all these things happened and we got to explore the science behind it all. We had a really great time with this awesome kit and we look forward to doing and redoing the experiments over and over.

The new Young Scientists kits can be purchased at www.theyoungscientistsclub.com. This kit is very affordably priced at $19.99. The company also has new social media pges and they would love some followers, so like their FB page, and follow them on Twitter and Pinterest.

Contest Prize:

The random drawing winner will be able to choose one of the following science kits . . . 

• Bubble Science Kit
• Rainbow Science Kit
• Kitchen Science Kit
• Explore the Wonders of Nature Kit

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck in the drawing!

Finding Balance With Asperger's: 6 in 1 Webber Portable Therapy Center

I am always on the lookout for products that make my life easier, and the 6 in 1 Webber Portable Therapy Center is just such an item. This incredible therapy tool was designed to make a therapists life easier by having many tools they’d need right at their fingertips. I have found it to be a very useful tool in my homeschool as well.

This portable therapy center contains a magnetic dry erase board, pocket chart, Velcro receptive panel, acrylic mirror, and two removable pouches as well as pockets to store pens and everything else. It measures 13 ¾” x 12 ½” x 2 ¼” so it’s roomy enough for everything without being too bulky to transport. Plus it’s made of durable and easy-to-clean vinyl, so it can withstand minimal abuse and still come out looking nice. This genius setup is so handy and contains all the things I need right at my fingertips for teaching as well as doing at-home therapy for my 6 year old who has Asperger’s.


I keep this with my teacher supplies on a shelf so it’s right at hand when I need it. Inside the portable therapy center, I keep dry erase markers and eraser, pens/pencils, magnets, various felt items (for use on the Velcro board), and exercise cards to use with the pocket chart. Quinn can practice writing to improve his fine motor skills or just draw with the dry erase markers for fun. We have various sets of magnets for math or just pretend play that he uses when he’s done writing. Sometimes he even draws his own scenery then plays with magnets on top of his creations.


In addition to the above, we have felt and Velcro-backed items that we use similarly to the magnets. We have multiples of various items (such as bunnies, snowmen, frogs, etc.) which we use either for counting or making up stories with and I have themed ones that correspond to stories, like the Monkeys Jumping on the Bed set (pictured below). Felt board items are so fun and Quinn loves having stories illustrated in a different way. Plus, it’s always fun to get to make your own variations on books.

We utilize the mirror for practicing facial movements, which is especially beneficial for Quinn as he doesn’t always understand expressions.  We also use our hands for sensory experiences with shaving cream which provides excellent tactile input for both kids.

I really love how this therapy center is constructed and have thoroughly enjoyed using it for my kids. It is lightweight so it is easily moved, but the setup is obviously well thought out by people who know what they’re doing. I have no criticism for it at all; it’s a truly great product. This would be a handy tool for any teacher, home educator, or therapist.

You can purchase the 6 in 1 Webber Portable Therapy Center on Super Duper, Inc.’s website at www.superduperinc.com. It retails for $79.95.

Thank you to Super Duper, Inc. for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon.  All opinions expressed are my own.